Spanish is a beautiful sounding language and it can help you speak to the locals in some fascinating countries. Whilst there are many different ways to learn a language, in my view one of the best ways to really get to grips with the vocabulary and grammar as fast as you can is by surrounding yourself with its speech, culture and people. My dream destination would be Spain itself, and here’s why...

1. It fits into the bigger picture

It’s perfectly possible to take a trip around the world taking in manySpanish speaking countries. My first stop would be Spain to get a good grounding in the language at a language school such as Clic (www.clic.es)before moving on to try out my speaking skills on the South American continent. What a trip!

2.To meet the friendly people

Aussies are well known for being welcoming to their visitors, and, so I’ve heard, the Spanish are also known for their friendly manner.

Spain is not short of places to let your hairdown and make some new friends. As a surf-lover, my pick has to be San Miguel Pro in Zarautz, Basque country, where I’d be chilling out with the locals each evening after hours of surf watching. I wouldn’t mind getting involved in the Tomatina festival, as well – tomato throwing sounds like a good way to have fun and make friends!

3.To get immersed in historic culture

Spain’s architectural and artistic wealth can be traced back to the many phases of its history. The different regions have each experienced their own chapters.

From the Islamic influences of the Andalucían cities, to the stunning Roman remains at Tarragonaand onwards to the cultural offerings of present day Spanish artists, these surroundings make fora unique classroom.

4. It’s many countries in one

Although many outsiders view Spain as one country, it is in fact compiled of many regions, each with their own customs, identity, and some of them even have their own language. For those who take Spanish courses in Spain, Castilian Spanish is most likely to be the language taught. There are also other Spanish languages, including Catalan spoken in Catalonia and Basque in the Basque Country. Taking the train between regions is a great way of finding out about the contrasts between them. At each stop you’ll discover something new. 5. The romantic cities Don’t get me wrong, Australia has its fair share of gorgeous cities, from glamorousSydney to gentrified Adelaide to outdoor-loving Perth. But the thought of spending the morning in a Spanish class in inner city Barcelona before heading to the coast for a sunny afternoon on its Mediterranean beach sounds like a really exotic change to home. Spain is a country blessed with gorgeous cities. My other top picks are:Seville Known the world over for its orange-lined streets, visit this city to experience some laid-back living. Madrid This is a bustling artistic and commercial centre with scorching summer temperatures.San Sebastian Heading northwards, this coastal city is the place to enjoy delicious snacks called pintxo.

Spain is a dream destination because it has so many different features to please any visitor. Its character as a nation and the character of its peoplemake it perfectly suited to those wishing to learn and perfect their Spanish.